This is a bonus episode based on the same chapter from last week, Matthew 24. After a quick review, we focus on the theme of Jesus’ teaching: do not be deceived, by false Christs, false prophets, and by misreading the signs of the end. The abomination of desolation refers first to the Roman army that desecrated the Temple and eventually destroyed it. It will be repeated at a larger scale during the Middle Ages when the persecution was possible by the unity of church and state. Then Jesus returns to the main theme using an illustration from the days of Noah. Do not be deceived!

While facing the Temple, the disciples asked Jesus two questions: When will be the Temple destroyed? and, When will be the end of the world? (They believed the Temple would last until the end of the age.) Jesus answered each question separately, even if the answers overlap. Jesus emphasized multiple times that most elements of His answer are not signs of the end, just signs that this end is not there yet. The true sign of the end is the preaching of the Gospel throughout the world as a testimony to all nations. Reading the Gospel Podcast is a tiny little contribution to preaching the Gospel. By sharing this podcast with others, you share the Gospel!

The final public message of Jesus is a summary of his three years of teaching, calling people out loud to come out of the darkness into the light. We have not been created for destruction. In fact, all people have been created for eternal life and God wants everyone to be saved. Let us respond to His invitation and be faithful in following Him!

When a group of Greeks were looking for Jesus, as noble as this intention may be, they were being used by Satan to derail Jesus’ mission of dying for humanity to save it. After an intense conversation with the Father, Jesus explained to the Greeks and his disciples that the road to heaven is not a straight line, but it has a stopover on the Cross. First, the crucified Jesus will draw us to Himself, on the Cross. Where are you now?

This is a short reading with a profound impact on the soul. It’s a story of extreme sacrifice, which Jesus intended to be part of the Gospel, along with other similar stories. What would you do with the last five dollars in your pocket, with no checks coming in? It’s also a story about simplicity in life, about how much we really need to be happy and fulfill the purpose for which we are created.

After the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes tempted Jesus to entangle Him in His own words and kill Him, Jesus’ tone changed and He exposed their hypocrisy. It was not the weakness of human nature or the sins of the tax collectors and prostitutes that upset Jesus the most, but the duplicity and self-righteousness of the religious leaders. Religious leaders are accountable to God at a higher standard than their followers. The good news is that those pure in heart will see God!

After all religious groups of leaders had tried unsuccessfully to entangle Jesus in His own words, Jesus asked them a question related to the Messiah’s divine nature. The main purpose of this question was not to shut their mouths but rather to give them one more opportunity to see his divine origin and mission. One more chance to change their minds and repent of the cardinal sin of crucifying Jesus Christ. How many more chances do we need to really understand God?

While disputing with the Sadducees, a Scribe asked Jesus, What is the most important commandment? Jesus, referring to the Law of God in its unity, answered that to love is the most important one. To love God and your neighbor. And the Scribe got it, and processed out loud what Jesus said. Like the rich young ruler whom Jesus loved, Jesus’ heart warms up to this Scribe and says he was not far from the Kingdom of God. Have you entered the Kingdom?

After the Pharisees were unsuccessful in tempting Jesus, the Sadducees thought they would be more successful, and used one of their tried old tricky questions about resurrection. Jesus gave them a quick and surprising answer. But the bulk of His answer addresses the underlying problem, the reading of the Scriptures for an intellectual purpose, to find reasons for your debates, not to know the Person who speaks to you. As a result, they did not experience the power of God in their lives. Do you hear God speak to you when you study the Scriptures?

The Jewish leaders tried to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to the Roman government. Jesus answered that it was not immoral or unpatriotic to pay taxes to Caesar, the Roman Emperor, as long as they returned to God what was God’s. In fact, we and everything we have belongs to God, by creation and redemption. We are just stewards of God’s property. And one day we will be accountable for our stewardship.